Wrath of Grapes: Pesticides in the Fields | Iras de las Uvas: Plaguicidas en los Campos

Park Event · César E. Chávez National Monument · Aug 29, 2026 · 3:00 PM–3:30 PM

Learn about the history of pesticides in the United States' agriculture system and the impacts pesticides have had on farmworkers and their communities.

After Dr. Marion Moses identified geographic cancer clusters in McFarland and Earlimart tied to pesticide use in the fields, the United Farm Workers (UFW) organized a grape boycott in protest of pesticide use in the fields dubbed "Wrath of Grapes."

This campaign aimed to end the use of 5 pesticides in the grape fields to preserve the natural resources of the surrounding communities and protect the public health of farmworkers and consumers. This campaign's goal was to achieve a paradigm shift in pest management strategies in the industrial agriculture industry that prioritized public health, farmworker protections, and preservation of natural resources.

Participants will learn about the results of the UFW's activism against pesticide use in the fields, and the legacy of this activism in current pesticide regulations.

Program Information

This program is best suited for adults due to the complexity of the subject matter, but attendance is open to all ages. This program will be in the theater room of the Visitor Center at the César E. Chávez National Monument.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).